THE POWERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3337, 27 February 1918, Page 17

THE POWERS.

THE GERMAN PROPAGANDA. ' ' (By Cable.) A copy of a confidential'circular issued by the German General Staff on November 2, 1914, has reached Switzerland. It is signed "Fischer," and was addressed to the military representatives on the Russian and French fronts and in Italy and Norway. It announces that special accounts for war needs have been opened at all branches of the German banks in Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, China, and the United States. It adds: "We authorise you to use these accounts to an unlimited extent to destroy factories and military stores and the most important centres of food supplies belonging to our enemies; to stir up strikes, destroy ships carrying war materials to enemy countries, burn wavehouses- raw material, and manufactures; and destroy electrical plant in factories.. Epecial agents will bring you a list of persons willing to undertake the work of destruction and sabotage." . George Bernhardi, writing in the Vossische Zeitung, says that the inefficiency of German diplomacy shows that the war cannot end in a purely military"way, owinoto Germany's failure tp profit by' her vie" tories in the field. Bernhardi asks who is responsible for announcing that the war with Russia has ended —a statement which has misled Germany more than anything else. The Vossische Zeitung demands von Kuhlmann's resignation as Foreign Minister.

AN ECONOMIC OFFENSIVE. The Hamburg newspaper Nachrichten urges preparation for an economic offensive after the war. "German manufacturers during the past three years," it states, "have accumulated .large reserves of finished products, chemicals, dyes, machinery, toys, and scientific appliances, which should be launched on the world's markets at the moment peace is concluded. This wonld help to pay for fresh, stocks of raw materials. The threats of an economic boycott are only British bluff. The world is needing German-made goods, and will turn a deaf ear to attempts to continue a trade war. Brazil has a million tons of coffee, which only Germany can take; and the Argentine will readily sell Germany her vast surplus stock of wool. The Central and South American markets are so enoynous that German buyers are in no danger, of being r'hut out. Even American cotton, copper, and rubber, and Australian suiter will be at Germany's disposal." Dr Solf still retains his title of Colonial Secretary, and travels frequently to Hamburg, and heartens the people with orations about the magnificent prospects opening up after the war in Africa, the South Seas, and Australasian waters. He says : "We shall possess our old colonies, rounded off so as to suit the new conditions. Despite London's bragging, the fate of the colonies depends on Hindenburg and Ludendorff, not on English politicians." . Router's correspondent at the British headquarters says the political and domestic situation of Germany is now creating internal excitement and causing pressure to be brought on the militarists, who are forced to endeavour to pacify the people. Von Hindenburg, who was recently interviewed by a number of newspaper editors, said, m "reply to a statement that there would not be any food in Germany by next May : " I shall be in Paris by the Ist April" (All Fool's Day). Some German recruits at Beverloo camp were informed that they were going to the front, and were ordered to sing "The Watch on the Rhine," but they refused. An officer drew his sword to a recruit, whose comrade 3 shot the officer. All the

! suspects were court-martialled and shot I the same day. In replying to a congratulatory message from the Agricultural League the Kaiser i exhorted the people to close the home ■■ ranks for the last great fight. j VON TIRPITZ BOMBASTIC. i Admiral von Tirpitz, speaking at a panGerman meeting at Mannheim, said that, whatever results were attained on the east i front, the only thing that mattered to Germany was the defeat of Anglo-American-ism. .This was only possible by insisting that in future Germany instead of Britain shall protect Belgium. If Germany su?'rendered Belgium she would be the laugh-ing-stock of the world. In addressing the Fatherland oarty Admiral von Tirpitz declared that Germany must show superiority in tenacity. The' Westei-n Powers constituted the greatest • danger. Unfortunately, Germany's intensive submarinism had been so Jong delayed that the enemy's countermeasures would impede its speedy effect. Germany, however, would hold out longer than England. He added that Belgium remained the pivot of the war. - POSITION IN AUSTRIA. I The Socialists in ■ the Austrian Reichsrath demand that the Government shall accept the peace principles set forth in President, Wilson's speech and forthwith begin negotiations for a general .peace. ; A Vienna message states that the Reichsrath. Socialists are urgently interpellating the Chamber on the 27th, and are arranging for mass meetings for a continuation of .the negotiations between Vienna and . Washington. _ The Emperor Charles of Austria has arrived at German Headquarters, and has conferred with the Kaiser, Marshal von Hindenburg, General Ludendorf, and Count von Hertling. The World's Rome correspondent states that Slavs who have escaped from Cattaro report that the Austrian fleet at Cattaro mutinied, and that the disaffection spread to Pola, Plume, and the Austrian ports. The discontent throughout Austria ,is reaching the proportions Sf an incipient revolution, due to the Bolshevist propaganda. MAKING PEACE WITH RUMANIA. According to the Vienna newspapers peace with Rumania is likely to be speedily attained favourable to all parties. Negotiations will be opened on Sunday or Monday. The Central Powers are particularly desirous of obtaining maritime communication with Ukrainia via the Danube estuary, and will therefore endeavour to make a rapid friendly agreement with Rumania, imposing the most moderate terms. A telegram from Vienna states that the Rumanian Government has expressed a desire to enter into preliminary peace discussions with representatives of the Central Powers. Count Czernin and others will shortly .go to Rumania. Competent quarters opine that Rumania is not ripe, for peace, and that sho is still entertaining far-reaching aspirations, and appears determined'to continue fighting if the negotiations do not satisfy her aspirations. Informal peace negotiations between von Kuhhnann (Germany). Count Czernin (Austria), Radoslavoff (Bulgaria), and General Avorescu began on Saturday at Castel Bufftea, near Bucharest. Tho Central Powers' terms comprise territorial acquisition for Bulgaria and economic facilities for Austria and Germany. General Avercscu has left for Jassy to consult his King. He has obtained a few days' grace for - Rumania's reply.